Participation of Malaysian higher education institutions in integrated campus sustainability framework

Abstract

This study presents findings on the extent of sustainable development implementation in Malaysian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Since not the entire of HEIs in Malaysia in coordinated framework on the sustainable development, it is very crucial to execute real interpretation of sustainable elements in HEIs. The need to have integrated campus sustainability framework is necessary so that present sustainability efforts in HEIs is known, and provide mechanism in achieving sustainable elements on the education level. In this study, three methods are introduced to achieve objectives needed in order to find out current condition of sustainability implementation in HEIs, Gibbs Reflective Cycle analysis were adopted. Meanwhile, level of students’ knowledge regarding the sustainable elements in campuses, were accessed through questionnaire distributions. Furthermore, to determine suggestion on best sustainable practices in Malaysian HEIs, establishment of interview questions were constructed using desired 5-Dimension Model. The analyses made required the presence of selected 8 representatives from HEIs by region in Malaysia as respondents, students from 32 public and private universities in Malaysia and lastly through 6 decision makers from selected HEIs by region in Malaysia. The results eventually shows that only several HEIs in Malaysia are moving forward with sustainable efforts such as accomplishments of green initiatives in campuses, absence of specific sustainable elements in university’s policies and also lacking of knowledge among students on sustainability. Further discussion on desired action plans for further excellent integration of sustainability framework is expected in this study.